Case Study - Our Streamflow pond at Nippon HQ using Bakki Showers

Our 2000 gallon streamflow pond at NipponHQ is proven in its ability to grow and develop koi from tosai. We have had over 100 koi in this pond at times and consistantly grown them at the rate of 1cm per week. With smaller numbers in this pond it is possible to match or exceed growth rates from tosai to nisai that are common in Japan. High flow in one direction created by drawing all of the water from one end and return it to the other is key. This flow, coupled with Bakki showers, heated water, food and the correct koi to start with, means you can grow koi at an alarming rate. Here we feature our best pond, showing and discussing how its mechanics and dynamics can be applied to any koi keepers new koi pond.

 The streamflow pond, pictured soon after the system was commissioned.

2000 Gallon streamflow pond at Nippon HQ - Image copyright ©2010-NN   2000 Gallon streamflow pond at Nippon HQ - Image copyright ©2010-NN

The following diagram shows the pond in cross section and the flows are shown by the red arrows. The design of the pond is simple, it is rectangle with a surface area of 8m2 or 3.5m long x 2.4m wide. The depth is around 1.1m average with the base sloped from 1m to 1.2m. It is this slope combined with the single flow direction which pushes waste down to the line of air uplift pipes which inside the pond are simply 2" open pipes or holes. The uplifts are similar to those found in an aquarium undergravel filtration system, an air pump is switched on and the rising air within the 2" pipes lifts the water and waste up from the bottom of the pond and removing it to a 3" manifold pipe to waste. This simple operation can be automated but it does only take 2 minutes twice a day to effectively remove the waste from the air uplift lines. Also shown below is the Eazy POD which is fed from a 3" side feed drain which keeps the clarity in the pond spot on. All of the pumps, uplift pipework and Eazy POD are hiden under decking to maximise usable space. The pumps used on this pond are Seqence 18,000's which deliver around 3000 gallons per hour and therefore we have a 300% turnover (3 times per hour or once every 20 minutes)

See page text for description - Image copyright ©2010-NN

 In our second diagram below we can see one of the two pump lines which are again fed from mid feed pipes. One simply feeds straight over the Bakki Shower unit and the second pulls water from the Eazy POD and a mid feed and passes through the heat exchanger and 55W TMC ultraviolet unit before feeding the second shower filter. If the pond was outside it would not be recommended to pass heated water over Bakki showers as they do chill the water. In a fish house setup, such as this, it does not have any significant effect on the temperature or efficiency. The principles behind a streamflow pond and its unique flow dynamics can be placed into a normal landscaped pond. Bakki showers can be sited elsewhere and returned to the pond using 110mm pipes underwater, which further increases the efficiency of a stream flow pond.

See page text for description - Image copyright ©2010-NN

Below we will feature various photographs of the pond, please refer to their individual descriptions that are found by clicking on the image thumbnail for a full sized version.

Bakki showers are the pinnacle of koi pond filtration, the high oxygen environment creates the best possible conditions for bacteria to perform the nitrogen cycle The showers on our pond run at around 3000 gallons per hour per shower - or 300% of the pond per hour 55 watt TMC UV unit prevents algae creating green water in the rich oxygen environment

The water is kept warm by a 130,000 BTU heat exchanger    Thermostats are essential in koi ponds, ours is mounted in a splash-proof housing to inhibit moisture entering the vital electronics    The gas boiler is mounted on the side of the building, providing essential heat to the pond throughout the year

Splash-proof electrics are essential in a very damp environment, we use only MK Masterseal for our ponds   An Eazy POD keeps the water clear of fine particles and is cleaned once a day in summer   Sequence 18,000 pumps are the clear choice for pushing more than 3000 gallons of water for under 230 watts

The air uplift manifold, this can be formed in concrete and fibreglass but in this pond we needed the space underneath to fit other pipes and pumps   The second of the two Sequence pumps, below is the sump - vital for managing ground water in the filter pit   One of the seven air uplift tubes, showing the air, water and waste lifting up the pipe and discharging to the 3

The air uplifts provide the ultimate in simple waste removal, a flick of a switch and they bubble away and remove the waste from the pond - ideal for the elderly or disabled koi keeper   A metal halide light on a timer is used throughout the winter to prolong the photoperiod (daylight length)   A purpose made spray bar with over 100 holes distribute the water over the media

Here you see the pounding effect of the water upon the Bakki House Media - this is the key to the filter being self cleaning / waste degrading As the water showers through the media trays, some of the filter media is wet and some damp - this creates a perfect wet and dry filter It is common in the damp warm environment to have flora of various forms growing on the showers. This should be removed the media itself periodically to prevent blocking. Here you see a self seeded fern and moss

 To discuss your individual pond requirements please email or phone us for a chat and to arrange a site visit.

email - sales@nipponnishikigoi.com or phone - Simon: 07788 140329.